My enemies became my companions

Chapter 614 More Milk (Part 2)

The refugees fled in an instant. Where could a group of starving people go? In their panic, they rushed into the woods on both sides, but a shrill howl instantly shattered the deathly silence.

Dozens of figures suddenly sprang out from behind the withered grass and charred logs by the roadside, like hungry wolves pouncing on a flock of sheep.

The blade flashed suddenly in the murky air, slashing down with a whoosh, sending up splattered pieces of dark red and torn cloth. This was followed by the heavy slam of the club, the muffled sound of bones cracking mixed with the abruptly stopped screams, as dull as the beating of rotting flesh.

In a mere instant, the crowd that was originally scattering backward seemed to have crashed into an invisible wall of blood, and was forcibly blocked, dispersed, and cut apart.

The bandits were fierce and silent, their movements as swift as harvesting crops. Their eyes held no pity, only naked greed and hunger.

The refugees had been starving for a long time, and so had the bandits.

The refugees often ate tree bark, while the bandits ate human flesh.

Those who eat tree bark become hungrier the more they eat, while those who eat human flesh only have the strength to rob people when they are hungry.

The chaos reached its peak. Some people were shoved and fell to the ground, and before they could get up, they were trampled by their panicked companions behind them, letting out incoherent whimpers. Two men who tried to resist, clutching the dry branches they were using as canes, were struck on the head with sticks before they could even raise them, collapsing like rag dolls, kicking up dust.

The woman holding her child was knocked down, the swaddling clothes flew out of her hands, and before a cry could even be heard, she was about to be submerged by countless muddy feet...

A hand reached out from the dark crowd and took the baby into its arms.

The woman looked up and saw a man carrying a sword and a knife, emerging from behind the crowd. People who bumped into him along the way fell down like withered wheat.

A blinding flash of cold light rang out as it was drawn.

Not far away, the bandit leader, keeping watch, touched his knife and watched the scene with eyes like a vulture.
A rope was put around the neck, dragging back those who tried to escape to the steep slope by the roadside, the tightening of the rope making a strange gurgling sound.

The meager package was roughly snatched and torn open, and the few dry, hard biscuit crumbs or tattered clothes inside were scattered all over the ground and then trampled into the mud.

Desperate cries, dying groans, the bandits' savage shouts and triumphant grins, and the pervasive, nauseating stench of blood instantly replaced the previous heavy silence, turning this section of the official road into a boiling slaughterhouse...

until,

With a splash, scalding hot blood splattered into the air.

It happened so suddenly and unexpectedly that no one on the scene reacted. Those who were fleeing continued to flee, and those who were looting continued to loot. When the blood splattered on the neighboring bandits, the latter mistook it for the blood of the refugees...

Until someone glanced back and involuntarily stopped, and then, with a few screams, several more splattered blood in the air in a short moment.

In an instant, countless people perished. Even the slowest person would eventually realize what was happening. The bandits scattered in panic towards the woods on either side, like homeless people they had robbed, running aimlessly...

In an instant, the bustling slaughterhouse went dark.

The clamor and screams were abruptly cut off by an invisible giant hand, leaving only a deafening, heavy silence that crashed down and filled the world once more.

On the official road, corpses lay scattered haphazardly, limp in the mud. Blood flowed in the mud, slowly mixing into a dark red slurry that silently seeped into the parched earth.

All that remained was the stench of blood carried by the wind, along with lingering dust, scattered rags, crushed rations, broken sticks, and loose packages, all soaking in the grime.

Those who were still alive seemed to be nailed to the spot.

They collapsed, curled up, or simply stood there, motionless. In that instant, no one cried, no one shouted, only rustling sounds. Their eyes seemed clouded, fixed on the horrific scene before them, or gazing blankly into the distant woods where the bandits had disappeared. The immense shock had ripped their souls away, leaving only empty shells; they couldn't even feel pain.

A teenager lay sprawled on top of the fallen woman, his hand still clutching the hem of her tattered clothes, motionless. An old man with a broken leg leaned against an overturned wheelbarrow, his mouth agape, only the sound of breathing escaping his throat. The survivors were like clay sculptures, stuck in this desolate wasteland.

The silence was deathly, oppressive and suffocating.

After a long time,

A sharp cry of a newborn baby rang out.

The cry was thin and bright, carrying a primal desire for life, piercing the ears of every living person.

...............

The carriage was at the very front, about ten feet away from the refugees. Donggong Ruoshu climbed onto the roof of the carriage and looked down from above, where she could see a long line of people following behind.

The refugees dared not get too close, nor dared they go too far. The sudden change has left many people still reeling.

Donggong Ruoshu climbed to the front of the carriage, lowered her head, and looked at Chen Yi, who was driving the horses, and asked, "Should we let them follow us the whole time?"

"Let's go with it, we're going the same way anyway," Chen Yi said casually.

Donggong Ruoshu had no objections. Right now, she was just a soul, so there was nothing she could do even if she objected. After thinking for a while, she asked, "Just now, how much of your strength did you contribute?"

Chen Yi frowned slightly and asked, "You were in the car the whole time, how did you know?"

His meridians are not yet fully repaired. If he exerts any force, he will experience excruciating pain all over his body. He can still endure this pain, but the problem is that even if he dies from the pain, he will not be able to return to his previous martial arts level.

A significant drop in one's cultivation level is always a major taboo in the martial arts world. It's not just about one's own martial arts prowess that's taboo, but also about it being known by others, especially by enemies. Therefore, Chen Yi was extra cautious about this and wouldn't easily reveal even the slightest clue.

“I heard the wind, the wind told me.” Donggong Ruoshu paused, then whispered, “I guess you’re less than 30% of what you used to be.”

Chen Yi remained silent for a moment, neither confirming nor denying.

He was just thinking, if it really was 30%, that would be great...

While Longhu Mountain certainly possesses miraculous elixirs, and the immortal medical skills of Zhou Yitang and Yuzhen Yuanjun are far beyond the reach of ordinary people, even so, this case of going into qi deviation was still too shocking. If it hadn't alarmed those unattainable celestial beings, Chen Yi would have only ended up vanishing into thin air, becoming a cripple would have been a stroke of good fortune. Now, not only has he survived, but he has also retained less than 20% of his martial arts skills, which is already a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.

The horses pulled the cart tirelessly ahead, navigating the winding mountain road that stretched into the depths. Chen Yi gazed into the distance, wondering what would happen to him if he, with his current martial arts level, were to rashly go to see Qin Qingluo without any preparation.

The reins trembled slightly in my hand.
For some reason... I suddenly feel a little scared...

…………

The Great Yu Dynasty has existed for over three hundred years. It has not escaped the ills of past dynasties, such as corrupt officials, embezzlement, and people fleeing their registered households. However, thanks to the watchful eyes of the Western Jin Dynasty from the outside and the internal turmoil, the military preparedness of the Great Yu Dynasty has not been too lax.

It seems like he still has some life left, but he's nearing the end.

Officer Hao Mao rode on horseback, leading a group of men to patrol along the mountain path. Since its founding, the Great Yu Kingdom had always been based on the garrison system, with garrisons set up in various places to cultivate land and station troops, making them self-sufficient. Usually, only 20% of the troops were used for duty. However, in recent times, the number of troops on duty has increased to 40%, and even elite soldiers like themselves have been mobilized.

As for the reason... The Great Yu Kingdom has been established for three hundred years. The closer to the border, the more garrisons there are. First, there was the Western Jin Dynasty, and then Guizhou. The latter was naturally guarding against the hereditary King of Annam who has been in power ever since.

A few years ago, when the Lin Party caused chaos in Beijing and forged an imperial edict ordering the Prince of Annam to come to the capital to defend the emperor, it seemed like a light punishment, but in fact it caused a great shock to the court. The Guizhou area was thoroughly purged. Several of Hao Mao's colleagues and superiors were either exiled or beheaded, and almost half of them were imprisoned.

Even today, the repercussions of this incident have not yet subsided. It is said that some refugees have fled their registered homes and migrated to the southern border. The imperial court has issued an edict, strictly ordering all places to guard the passes.

Until the Imperial Guards took over the various places. A squad ranged from ninety to over a hundred men, with a maximum of two hundred combat soldiers and one hundred cavalrymen. However, due to vacancies and ghost soldiers, the squad leader Hao Mao only had more than sixty men under his command, most of whom were scattered to patrol other mountain roads. At this time, he only had more than twenty men with him.

Hao Mao parted the treetops, looked up and strained to see, and saw a long procession of refugees rushing towards them.

"Come on, follow me to chase them away," Hao Mao shouted, brandishing his whip.

The sound of hooves suddenly rang out, and several cavalrymen, led by Hao Mao, quickly surrounded the group of refugees in an open area on the mountain road. The refugees, who were starving, looked terrified, but instead of fleeing, they moved towards the carriage at the front.

Hao Mao was confused, but he still spurred his horse forward and shouted, "Get out of the carriage! Get out of the carriage! State your names! Where are you going? Travel permit!"

As he spoke, Hao Mao prepared to draw his knife. He had only said those two sentences to make a show of it. After all, these refugees could not have travel permits. Whenever they found refugees, they would use whips and knives to drive them away. Whether they were registered on the spot or driven back to their original place, it was all the same. They just wouldn't be allowed into the southern border.

There were many who resisted and caused trouble, and they were all killed on the spot to end the matter.

Hao Mao, brandishing his sword, rode his horse closer.
After a while, a simply dressed man took off his straw hat and jumped off the carriage.

He picked up a pebble from the ground and flicked it away.

A bloody hole burst open in the warhorse's neck, and blood gushed out, causing the horse and rider to fall over.

"It's bandits! Bandits! Protect the sentry!"

Amidst the panicked shouts, several soldiers spurred their horses to rush over and protect Hao Mao. The latter awkwardly pulled his foot out of the horse's belly, his face filled with terror.

The man stood before him, waiting silently, yet it seemed as if he had silently seized him by the throat.

"...They have permits, let them go! Don't stop them!"

As the sound faded, Hao Mao saw the man slowly turn around and return to the car.

He let out a breath and quickly mounted one of his subordinates' horses, not daring to stop him.

The migrant caravan moved again, like a dark gray river, slowly flowing towards southern Xinjiang.

………………

To avoid being held accountable, Hao Mao should have kept this matter to himself. After all, the man in the carriage was no ordinary martial artist, and provoking him rashly could have cost him his life.

However, tonight, the Imperial Guards, who had been waiting for so long, finally arrived and took over the garrison.

Moreover, the Imperial Guard Commander specifically requested to see Hao Mao.

Hao Mao cautiously lifted the curtain and saw the adjutant general inside, clad in iron armor.

He was a middle-aged man with a dark complexion and thick arms. The gaps in his armor were tinged with dark red, which was said to be a family heirloom. His ancestors had made great achievements in martial arts and were granted special permission by the emperor to keep the armor. When you saw him, an indescribable bloody smell wafted over you.

His surname was Yang, and his given name was Chongwei.

"Did you release a group of refugees today?" he asked.

Hao Mao nodded tremblingly, "Yes..."

Why wasn't it reported when it was released privately?

"Reporting, reporting to the adjutant, there is a master inside, I, I..." Hao Mao suddenly knelt down, his mind racing, and after a long while, he said in a trembling voice, "I'm afraid he's from the Southern Frontier."

These words were vague, but the implication was clear. Only in this way, involving the Prince of Annam's mansion, could Hao Mao protect his military rank and even his life.

Yang Chongwei narrowed his eyes and scrutinized him, saying, "There are no outsiders here... You mean, you're afraid they're from the Prince of Annan's residence?"

"Yes... he pierced my horse with a single pebble, and... there was sword energy too... I don't know how to put it..." Hao Mao stammered.

Yang Chongwei narrowed his eyes even more. He first had Hao Mao taken away, then beckoned to his left. His deputy stepped forward and bowed his head to listen.

"I'll lead men to intercept them tomorrow. Tell your men to prepare."

"...General, do you really want to make such a big show of it? What if it really is just a group of refugees?"

"The experts who enter the Southern Frontier at this time are either from the Divine Cult or most likely from the Royal Palace, and who knows... what's hidden among these refugees. We've just taken office, so let's kill this scoundrel and spread the word to the Southern Frontier as a warning to others."

After giving his instructions, seeing that his deputy looked worried, he said:
"My mind is made up. Don't think about it anymore. Go."

"Yes."

………………

The Prince of Annam's Palace.

In recent days, everyone in the Prince's mansion has been busy. Whether it is pacifying the refugees, deploying troops, or allocating grain reserves, all of these require the female prince to make decisions and issue decrees. Meanwhile, miscellaneous matters such as deciding on criminal cases and constructing buildings have piled up like a small mountain.

The busyness extended even to the usually leisurely inner palace maids, who were constantly on the move. For Qin Yue, this meant she had been constantly being carried around in the arms of various wet nurses.

Qin Yue is almost two years old. She is chubby and fair-skinned, and very lovable. Every nanny who sees her is all smiles. She also seems smarter and more clever than others. She not only learned to call "Dad, Mom, and Dad" at a young age, but now she can understand most of what adults say.

Despite her intelligence, there were still some things Qin Yue couldn't understand.

The wet nurse can be called "Mom," but the one of the two parents who will breastfeed her is never her mother, but her "father" or "King".

Qin Yue couldn't understand it at all.

Occasionally she would want to ask, but she didn't know how to express it, so she could only look at the tall "father" with her big eyes, full of confusion.

Even when she really wanted to ask, Qin Qingluo only needed to glance at her, and she would immediately stop asking.

Mother is the best; she wouldn't glare at her like that.

However, there are several things that "Father" can never match that Mother can do.

Just as she was thinking this, Qin Yue's little ears heard a noise. Her wet nurse, who was holding her, quickly got up, and the maid beside her bowed respectfully.
She saw a tall figure break free from his busy schedule, push open the door, and go straight in, taking her from the wet nurse's arms.

Qin Yue smacked her lips.

We have milk to drink again.

(End of this chapter)